Peripheral device, display control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a peripheral device, a display control method, and a program equipped with a user interface with excellent viewability or operability.SOLUTION: A peripheral device shared by multiple user terminals includes an occupancy control unit that sets the occupancy status of the peripheral device for a user, a setting information acquisition unit that acquires setting information regarding the peripheral device from the user, and a display unit that displays the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a peripheral device, a display control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose an image processing device that includes a display means for displaying identification information indicating multiple PCs on a display unit 810 and displaying selectable scan setting specification information from the displayed identification information on a display unit 820, a request means for requesting that a scan be performed using the selected scan setting specification information, a receiving means for receiving a scan instruction including scan settings specified by the scan setting specification information selected in response to the request, a reading control means for executing an image reading process in accordance with the scan settings in response to the reception, and a transmitting means for transmitting image data of the scanned original to a PC. Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a data processing device that, when displaying information for selecting a destination to save input data, determines the priority of each destination and displays information indicating each destination based on the determined priority. Patent document 4 also discloses an image input device that is applied to a digital camera 100, has a wireless communication function for wirelessly connecting to a PC (personal computer) 101, which is an information processing device, connects to the PC 101 via a USB cable, and sets pairing information in advance to identify the PC 101 as the communication partner, and when instructed to start connection with the PC 101, transitions to a state where wireless connection with the PC 101 is possible based on the set pairing information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2013-153536 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2010-187089 [Patent Document 3] Patent Publication No. 2007-329663 [Patent Document 4] Patent Publication No. 2006-067231 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A peripheral device, a display control method, and a program are provided that are equipped with a user interface that is easy to view or operate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The peripheral device of the present invention is a peripheral device shared by multiple user terminals, and has an occupancy control unit that sets the occupancy status of the peripheral device for a user, a setting information acquisition unit that acquires setting information regarding the peripheral device from the user, and a display unit that displays the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit.

[0006] Preferably, the device further comprises a setting information erasing unit that erases the setting information acquired by the setting information acquiring unit when the occupied state of the peripheral device is released by the occupancy control unit.

[0007] Preferably, the setting information acquisition unit acquires the setting information of the other user when the occupancy control unit switches the occupancy state to another user, and the setting information erasure unit erases the setting information of the user when the occupancy control unit switches the occupancy state to another user.

[0008] Preferably, the device further includes a mode switching unit that switches between a first operating mode in which user setting information is recorded only in volatile memory and a second operating mode in which it is recorded in non-volatile memory, and the display unit displays the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit when the display unit is set to the first operating mode by the mode switching unit.

[0009] Preferably, when the first operating mode is set by the mode switching unit, the setting information acquisition unit acquires setting information and records it in the volatile memory each time it connects to the user terminal, and the display unit displays the setting information recorded in the volatile memory, and when the second operating mode is set by the mode switching unit, the display unit displays the setting information recorded in the non-volatile memory.

[0010] In addition, the display control method of the present invention is a display control method for a peripheral device shared by multiple user terminals, and includes an occupancy control step for setting the occupancy status of the peripheral device for a user, a setting information acquisition step for acquiring setting information regarding the peripheral device from the user, and a display step for displaying the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition step.

[0011] In addition, the program of the present invention is a program applicable to a peripheral device shared by multiple user terminals, and causes a computer to execute an occupancy control step of setting the occupancy status of the peripheral device for a user, a setting information acquisition step of acquiring setting information regarding the peripheral device from the user, and a display step of displaying the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] A peripheral device is provided that is equipped with a user interface that is excellent in terms of viewability or operability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a scanner sharing system 1. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a control section of the scanner device 2. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a user terminal 4. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the scanner device 2, focusing on the parts for occupancy control and display control. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal 4. [Figure 6] (A) illustrates information registered in the setting DB 370 of the scanner device 2, (B) illustrates a profile, and (C) illustrates information registered in the connection history DB 372. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a terminal-side connection process (S10) performed by a user terminal 4. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a scanner-side startup process (S20) performed by the scanner device 2. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a user switching process (S30) performed by the scanner device 2. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process (S40) of the scanner device 2 when a search notification is received. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a touch panel 208. [Figure 12] 10 is a sequence diagram (S50) of creating a profile in the scanner sharing system 1. [Figure 13] 10 is a sequence diagram (S60) of scanning in the scanner sharing system 1. [Figure 14] 10 is a sequence diagram (S70) of switching user terminals in the scanner sharing system 1. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a scanner device 2 in a first modified example, focusing on portions of occupancy control and display control. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a scanner-side startup process (S22) of the scanner device 2 in the first modification. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a connection process (S45) in the case of the "connected user" mode. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display screen in Modification 1. [Figure 19] 10 is a sequence diagram (S52) showing a process for creating a profile when the "connected user" mode is set. [Figure 20] 10 is a sequence diagram (S80) showing a sequence when switching user terminals when the "connected user" mode is set. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a scanner sharing system 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the scanner sharing system 1 includes a scanner device 2 and a plurality of user terminals 4, which are connected to each other via a network 7. The scanner device 2 is an example of a peripheral device shared by multiple user terminals 4, and is an image reading device that reads an image from a document. The peripheral device is not limited to the scanner device 2, and may be, for example, a display, projector, or speaker shared over the network 7. The scanner device 2 in this example is a network scanner equipped with an operation screen such as a touch screen. The user terminal 4 is a computer terminal used by a user, and communicates with the scanner device 2 and controls the scanner device 2 in response to, for example, user operations. The network 7 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0015] In the above configuration, the scanner device 2 creates and manages the scan settings (save destination, save format, resolution, etc.) using driver software installed in the user terminal 4. The scan setting information created on the user terminal 4 is called a profile, and the same profile is displayed on the operation screen of the scanner device 2 in synchronization with the scanner device 2. Generally, multiple profiles are created for each user, as they often differ depending on the medium to be scanned (documents, business cards, receipts, etc.). The user selects a profile that matches the document to be scanned and the destination to save from the driver software or the operation screen of the scanner device 2, and presses the scan button to start scanning with the scanner device 2. The document is scanned with the reading surface and resolution according to the profile, and sent to the user terminal 4. On the user terminal 4, the driver software performs image processing and title extraction according to the profile settings, and saves the results. When the scanner device 2 is shared by multiple user terminals, all profiles of all users are displayed on the operation screen of the scanner device 2, which can make the operation screen congested. When scanning, a user selects the profile they created from the operation screen, but this can lead to problems such as accidentally selecting another user's profile and saving the scan results on another user terminal 4, or being unable to start scanning because the user terminal 4 is turned off. One solution to this problem is to connect (occupy) a specific user terminal 4 and scanner device 2 one-to-one, so that profiles of other users are not displayed. However, this method had another problem: when sharing the scanner device 2, the procedure for disconnecting the currently connected user terminal 4 and switching the connection to another user terminal 4 was complicated, making it difficult for multiple users to share the scanner device 2. To solve these problems, we have investigated a method for easily switching users and automatically connecting using the operation screen of the scanner device 2.

[0016] In the case of a multifunction printer, by its nature, copying and scanning connections are made from many user terminals, so the multifunction printer does not have a function for exclusively connecting to a specific user terminal when it is started up. In this embodiment, in a situation where the scanner device 2 is shared by multiple users, and a specific user borrows the scanner device 2 for a while, the function for exclusively connecting to a specific user terminal when the scanner is started up is provided to make it easier to use in a situation where the scanner device 2 is used continuously.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the control section of the scanner device 2. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the scanner device 2 includes a CPU 200, a volatile memory 202, a non-volatile memory 204, a network interface 206 (network IF 206), and a touch panel 208, and these components are connected to each other via a bus 212. The CPU 200 is, for example, a central processing unit. The memory 202 is, for example, a volatile memory, and functions as a main storage device. The non-volatile memory 204 serves as a non-volatile storage device and stores, for example, computer programs (for example, the scanner program 3 in FIG. 4) and other data files. The network IF 206 is an interface for wired or wireless communication. The touch panel 208 is an example of an operation screen, and is, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the user terminal 4. As shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the user terminal 4 includes a CPU 400, a memory 402, a HDD 404, a network interface 406 (network IF 406), a display device 408, and an input device 410, which are connected to each other via a bus 412. The CPU 400 is, for example, a central processing unit. The memory 402 is, for example, a volatile memory, and functions as a main storage device. The HDD 404 is, for example, a hard disk drive device, and serves as a non-volatile storage device for storing computer programs (for example, the driver program 5 in FIG. 5) and other data files. The network IF 406 is an interface for wired or wireless communication. The display device 408 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device 410 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the scanner device 2, focusing on the occupancy control and display control portions. 4, a scanner program 3 is installed in the scanner device 2, and a setting database 370 (setting DB370) and a connection history database 372 (connection history DB372) are also configured. The scanner program 3 is stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and is installed in the scanner device 2 via this recording medium. The scanner program 3 includes a terminal search unit 300, a connection request unit 310, a selection unit 320, a display control unit 330, a switch detection unit 340, and an occupancy control unit 350. The display control unit 330 includes a profile display unit 332 and a list display unit 334. Note that the scanner program 3 may be partly or entirely implemented by hardware such as an ASIC, or may be implemented by partially borrowing functions of an OS (Operating System).

[0020] In the scanner program 3, the terminal search unit 300 searches for user terminals 4 connected to the network 7. For example, when the scanner device 2 is powered on, the terminal search unit 300 broadcasts a power-on notification indicating that the power has been turned on to the network 7, and identifies user terminals connected to the network 7 based on responses to this notification. The terminal search unit 300 is an example of a connection determination unit according to the present invention.

[0021] The connection request unit 310 selects a user terminal 4 to connect to from among the user terminals 4 found by the terminal search unit 300, and sends a connection request to the selected user terminal 4. The connection request unit 310 in this example transmits scanner device information including identification information of the user terminal that was last connected to the user terminal 4 found by the terminal search unit 300.

[0022] The selection unit 320 selects setting information stored in the setting DB 370 or identification information of a user terminal based on the connection history stored in the connection history DB 372. More specifically, the selection unit 320 selects setting information or identification information of a user terminal based on the connection history stored in the connection history DB 372 and the search results by the terminal search unit 300. For example, when the scanner device 2 is started up, the selection unit 320 selects, as information to be displayed, the setting information or identification information of the user terminal that last connected to the scanner device 2 from among the user terminals 2 searched by the terminal search unit 300 based on the connection history stored in the connection history DB 372.

[0023] The display control unit 330 displays the setting information or identification information of the user terminal selected by the selection unit 320 on the touch panel 208, and hides information about other user terminals. Hiding means that the information is not displayed unless there is an active operation by the user. In this example, the profile display unit 332 displays the profile (setting information) of the user terminal 4 selected by the selection unit 320 on the touch panel 208, and does not display the profiles of other user terminals 4 on the touch panel 208.

[0024] Furthermore, when the switching detection unit 340 detects a switching operation, the display control unit 330 displays the identification information of multiple user terminals as options on the touch panel 208, and displays the setting information of the selected user terminal on the touch panel 208. In this example, when the switching detection unit 340 detects a switching operation, the list display unit 334 refers to the connection history DB 372 and displays a list of the identification information of user terminals 4 that have connected to the scanner device 2 on the touch panel 208.

[0025] The switching detection unit 340 detects a switching operation of the user terminal 4 that uses the scanner device 2. The switching detection unit 340 of this example detects a switching operation of the user terminal 4 based on a touch operation on the touch panel 208 by the user.

[0026] The occupancy control unit 350 controls the occupancy state of the scanner device 2 in accordance with the occupancy command received from the user terminal 4. When the occupancy control unit 350 receives an occupancy command from the user terminal 4, it puts the scanner device 2 into a state in which the user terminal 4 occupies the scanner device 2, and when the switching detection unit 340 detects a switching operation of the user terminal 4, it releases the occupancy state.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 4. 5, a driver program 5 is installed in the user terminal 4, and a setting database 570 (setting DB 570) is also configured. The driver program 5 is stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and is installed in the user terminal 4 via this recording medium. The driver program 5 includes an exclusive command sending unit 500, a profile editing unit 510, and an image processing unit 520. The driver program 5 may be partly or entirely implemented by hardware such as an ASIC, or may be implemented by partially borrowing functions of an OS (Operating System).

[0028] In the driver program 5, the exclusive command sending unit 500 sends an exclusive command to the scanner device 2 to occupy the scanner device 2. In this example, the exclusive command sending unit 500 sends the exclusive command to the scanner device 2 when the "identification information of the user terminal last connected" included in the scanner device information received from the scanner device 2 is the own device.

[0029] In response to a user's operation, the profile editing unit 510 edits a set of setting information that defines the operation of the scanner device 2 as a profile. The profile edited by the profile editing unit 510 is stored in the setting DB 570. Furthermore, the profile stored in the setting DB 570 is also stored in the setting DB 370 of the scanner device 2.

[0030] The image processing unit 520 performs processes such as image processing, title extraction processing, and automatic folder registration processing on the image data received from the scanner device 2 in accordance with the profile selected by the user.

[0031] 6A illustrates information registered in the setting DB 370 of the scanner device 2, FIG. 6B illustrates a profile, and FIG. 6C illustrates information registered in the connection history DB 372. In FIG. 6A, the setting DB 370 of the scanner device 2 stores a profile set by each user in association with the user terminal. In this example, the setting DB 370 has multiple profiles registered for one user. 6(B), the registered profile includes, in association with a user ID for identifying a user and a profile name for identifying a profile, information specifying the file format (PDF / JPG) of scanned image data, information specifying the color mode (auto-detect / color / gray / black and white) at the time of scanning, information specifying the reading side (single-sided / double-sided) at the time of scanning, information specifying the scan image quality (DPI), etc. Note that the information specifying the file format is registered only in the setting DB 570 on the user terminal 4 side, and is not registered in the setting DB 370 on the scanner device 2 side.

[0032] 6(C), the connection history DB 372 stores connection history information of the user terminal 4 connected to the scanner device 2. The connection history information includes a user ID for identifying the user terminal 4 and information indicating the date and time of connection to the scanner device 2. The connection date and time registered in the connection history DB 372 in this example is updated to the most recent connection date and time every time the user connects to the scanner device 2.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the terminal-side connection process (S10) performed by the user terminal 4. 7, in step 100 (S100), the driver program 5 of the user terminal 4 determines whether a predetermined timing has arrived, and if the predetermined timing has arrived, proceeds to the processing of S105 (S100: Yes), and if the predetermined timing has not arrived, waits (S100: No). Examples of predetermined timings include when the driver program 5 is started, when a power-on notification or a status change notification is received from the scanner device 2, and when a predetermined time (1 minute) has elapsed without being connected to the scanner device 2.

[0034] In step 105 (S105), the exclusive command transmitting unit 500 of the user terminal 4 transmits a scanner search notification for searching for the scanner device 2. In step 110 (S110), the exclusive command transmitting section 500 receives scanner device information from the scanner device 2 as a response to the scanner search notification.

[0035] In step 115 (S115), the exclusive command sending unit 500 determines whether the identification information of the user terminal included in the received scanner device information is the identification information of its own device, and if it is the identification information of its own device, proceeds to processing of S120, and if it is not the identification information of its own device, terminates the terminal side connection processing (S10). In step 120 (S120), the exclusive command transmitting unit 500 transmits the exclusive command to the scanner device 2. As a result, the scanner device 2 is occupied by the user terminal 4.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the scanner-side startup process (S20) performed by the scanner device 2. As illustrated in FIG. 8, in step 200 (S200), when the scanner device 2 detects a power-on operation, it proceeds to processing of S205 (S200: Yes), and if a power-on operation is not detected, it waits until a power-on operation is performed (S200: No).

[0037] In step 205 (S205), the scanner device 2 executes a start-up process. In step 210 (S210), the terminal search unit 300 of the scanner device 2 broadcasts a power-on notification to the network 7 when the startup process is completed. As a result, the user terminal 4 recognizes that the scanner device 2 is now available for scanner search.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the user switching process (S30) performed by the scanner device 2. 9, in step 300 (S300), the switching detection unit 340 of the scanner device 2 waits until a switching operation by the user is detected (S300: No), and when a switching operation is detected, the process proceeds to S305. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 11(A), the touch panel 208 displays the display screen 9 on which a switching button 906 for switching users is arranged, and the switching detection unit 340 detects a touch operation by the user on this switching button 906 as a switching operation. In step 305 (S305), the switching detection unit 340 reads out the connection history information from the connection history DB372.

[0039] In step 310 (S310), the list display unit 334 creates a list of user IDs arranged in connection order based on the connection history information read from the connection history DB 372, and displays a switching display 92 on the touch panel 208 in which the list of user IDs is arranged, as illustrated in Figure 11 (B). In step 315 (S315), the switching detection unit 340 determines whether the user ID selected by the user is the current user or another user, and if another user is selected, proceeds to processing of S320, and if the current user is selected, terminates the switching processing (S30).

[0040] In step 320 (S320), the switching detection unit 340 updates the identification information of the last connected user terminal to the user terminal of the user selected by the user. In step 325 (S325), the switching detection unit 340 disconnects the current connection between the scanner device 2 and the user terminal 4. In step 330 (S330), the switching detection unit 340 broadcasts a status change notification of the scanner device 2 to the network 7. As a result, the user terminal 4 of the switching destination that has received the status change notification acquires the scanner device information, and in response transmits an exclusive command to the scanner device 2 to connect to the scanner device 2.

[0041] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process (S40) of the scanner device 2 when a search notification is received. As illustrated in FIG. 10, in step 400 (S400), the connection request unit 310 of the scanner device 2 waits until it receives a scanner search notification from the user terminal 4 (S400: No), and when it receives the scanner search notification from the user terminal 4, it proceeds to processing of S405 (S400: Yes).

[0042] In step 405 (S405), the connection request unit 310 transmits scanner device information (including the identification information of the user terminal that was last connected) to the user terminal 4 as a response to the scanner search notification. In step 410 (S410), if the scanner program 3 receives an exclusive command from any of the user terminals 4, it proceeds to processing of S415, and if it does not receive an exclusive command from any of the user terminals 4 within the specified period, it terminates processing (S40).

[0043] In step 415 (S415), when the occupancy control unit 350 receives an occupancy command from any of the user terminals 4, it transitions to an occupancy state by this user terminal 4.

[0044] In step 420 (S420), the selection unit 320 reads out from the setting DB 370 the profile of the user terminal 4 that is in an occupied state. In step 425 (S425), the profile display unit 332 displays only the profile read by the selection unit 320 on the touch panel 208, and prohibits the display of profiles of other users. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 11(A), the display screen 9 is displayed on the touch panel 208. An occupying user display 902 displaying identification information of the occupying user terminal 4 is displayed in the window title of the display screen 9, and a profile icon 904 indicating the profile of the occupying user terminal 4 is arranged in the display area where the profile is displayed. When a scan start button 908 is touched with any of the profile icons 904 selected, scanning processing according to the selected profile is started.

[0045] In this way, the scanner device 2 establishes an exclusive connection with the user terminal that was last connected, and displays the profile of this user terminal on the touch panel 208.

[0046] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram (S50) of creating a profile in the scanner sharing system 1. As illustrated in FIG. 12, when a user starts the driver program 5 on the user terminal 4, sets the profile values, and saves them in the setting DB 570, the user terminal 4 sends the profile saved in the setting DB 570 to the scanner device 2 to synchronize the setting DB (S500). The scanner device 2 saves the received profile in the setting DB 370, displays it on the touch panel 208, and notifies the user terminal 4 that the profile has been registered (S502). In response to the registration completion notification, the user terminal 4 displays the registered profile.

[0047] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram (S60) of scanning in the scanner sharing system 1. As illustrated in FIG. 13, when a user selects a desired profile icon 904 on the display screen 900 (FIG. 11(A)) displayed on the touch panel 208 of the scanner device 2 (S600), the scanner device 2 reads out the setting information of the selected profile. Next, when the user touches the start scan button 908 displayed on the touch panel 208 (S602), the scanner device 2 executes the scan process in accordance with the read profile (setting information) and transmits the scan data to the user terminal 4 (S604). The user terminal 4 executes processing (image processing, title extraction processing, etc.) corresponding to the selected profile on the scan data received from the scanner device 2, and saves the processing results in accordance with the profile.

[0048] FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram (S70) of switching user terminals in the scanner sharing system 1. As illustrated in FIG. 14, during the period when the user terminal 4 of user X occupies the scanner device 2, when the scanner device 2 detects a touch operation on the scan start button (S700), it executes a scan process and transmits the scan data to the user terminal 4 of user X. When the user X performs a power-off operation on the scanner device 2 (S702), the scanner device 2 disconnects from the user terminal 4 and shuts down. Next, when user A turns on the power to the scanner device 2 (S710), the scanner device 2 performs a startup process, and when the startup process is complete, it sends a power-on notification to all user terminals 4 on the network 7. In response to the power-on notification, each user terminal 4 sends a scanner search notification to the scanner device 2 and receives scanner device information from the scanner device 2. The scanner device 2 inserts "identification information of the last connected user terminal (user X)" into the scanner device information. Based on the scanner device information received from the scanner device 2, each user terminal 4 determines whether the "identification information of the user terminal that last connected" is its own device, and only the user terminal 4 that is determined to be its own device sends an occupancy command to the scanner device 2 to establish a connection. As a result, the user terminal 4 of user X, who last connected, continues to occupy the scanner device 2 (S712).

[0049] Next, when user A performs a switching operation to switch to user A on the scanner device 2 (S720), the scanner device 2 rewrites the "identification information of the last connected user terminal" to the identification information of user A and sends a status change notification to all user terminals 4 on the network 7. In response to the status change notification, each user terminal 4 transmits a scanner search notification to the scanner device 2 and receives scanner device information from the scanner device 2. Based on the scanner device information received from the scanner device 2, each user terminal 4 determines whether the "identification information of the user terminal that last connected" is its own device, and only the user terminal 4 that is determined to be its own device sends an occupancy command to the scanner device 2 to establish a connection. Because the "identification information of the user terminal that last connected" has been rewritten to user A's identification information, user A's user terminal 4 connects to and occupies the scanner device 2 (S722). As a result, the profile of user A is displayed on the touch panel 208 of the scanner device 2, and the scan data is sent to the user terminal 4 of user A.

[0050] As described above, the scanner sharing system 1 of this embodiment selects the connection destination and the profile to be displayed according to the connection history, reducing the effort required for connection / disconnection, and facilitating the profile selection operation by displaying only the necessary profiles in the limited display area of ​​the touch panel 208. This is particularly suitable for peripheral devices that are used continuously by a specific user, such as the scanner device 2.

[0051] [Variation 1] Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, a form in which the profile (setting information) of a specific user is narrowed down and displayed has been described, but in Modification 1, a form in which multiple operation modes are prepared and the range of users whose profiles are displayed is changed depending on the operation mode will be described. Specifically, a form in which three operation modes are prepared: a "selected user" mode, a "all users" mode, and a "connected users" mode will be described. The "selected user" mode is an operation mode corresponding to the above embodiment, and displays only the profile of the specific selected user. By switching the selected user, the profiles of other users can be displayed. The "all users" mode is an operation mode that displays all profiles registered in the scanner device 2. The names and profiles of all users who share the scanner device 2 can be displayed. The "connected user" mode is an operation mode in which only the profile of the user connected to the scanner device 2 is displayed, and profiles of other users cannot be displayed. In the first modification, the above operation modes are switched to provide user interfaces with different security levels.

[0052] 15 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the scanner device 2 in Modification 1, focusing on the occupancy control and display control portions. Note that among the components in this diagram, components that are substantially the same as those in FIG. 4 are assigned the same reference numerals. 15 , the scanner program 32 of the first modification includes a terminal search unit 300, a connection request unit 310, a selection unit 320, a display control unit 331, a switching detection unit 340, an occupancy control unit 350, a mode switching unit 360, a setting information acquisition unit 370, a storage destination control unit 380, and a setting information deletion unit 390. The display control unit 331 includes a profile display unit 332 and a list display unit 334.

[0053] In variant 1, when the selection unit 320 is in the "selected user" mode, it selects, when the scanner device 2 is started, from among the user terminals 4 searched by the terminal search unit 300 based on the connection history stored in the connection history DB 372, the setting information or identification information of the user terminal that last connected to the scanner device 2 as the information to be displayed; when the selection unit 320 is in the "all users" mode, it selects, as the information to be displayed, the setting information or identification information of all user terminals stored in the setting DB 370; and when the selection unit 320 is in the "connected users" mode, it selects, as the information to be displayed, the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit 370.

[0054] When in the “connected user” mode, the display control unit 331 causes the touch panel 208 to display only the setting information (profile) acquired by the setting information acquisition unit 370 from the user terminal 4 connected to the scanner device 2.

[0055] The mode switching unit 360 switches between a first operation mode in which user setting information (profile) is recorded only in volatile memory and a second operation mode in which it is recorded in non-volatile memory. In this modification, the first operation mode is a "connected user" mode, and the second operation mode is a "selected user" mode and an "all users" mode. In this modification, the operation mode can be set at any time on a mode selection screen 93 shown in FIG. 18(A).

[0056] In the "connected user" mode, the setting information acquisition unit 370 acquires setting information (specifically, a profile) related to the scanner device 2 from the user terminal 4 that occupies the scanner device 2. More specifically, in the "connected user" mode, the setting information acquisition unit 370 acquires the profile of the scanner device 2 from the user terminal 4 every time the user terminal 4 connects to the scanner device 2.

[0057] The storage destination control unit 380 switches the storage location of the setting information (profile) acquired from the user terminal 4 depending on the operation mode. More specifically, in the "connected user" mode, the storage destination control unit 380 causes the setting information (profile) acquired from the user terminal 4 to be stored in the volatile memory (memory 202), and in the "selected user" mode or the "all users" mode, the storage destination control unit 380 causes the setting information (profile) acquired from the user terminal 4 to be stored in the non-volatile memory 204.

[0058] In the "connected user" mode, when the occupancy control unit 350 releases the scanner device 2 from its occupied state, the setting information erasing unit 390 erases the setting information (profile) acquired by the setting information acquiring unit 370 from the storage location. That is, in the "connected user" mode, when the occupancy control unit 350 switches the occupancy state to another user, the setting information erasing unit 390 erases the original user's setting information from the memory 202.

[0059] 16 is a flowchart illustrating the scanner-side startup process (S22) of the scanner device 2 in Modification 1. Note that among the steps shown in this figure, steps that are substantially the same as those shown in FIG. 8 are given the same reference numerals. As illustrated in FIG. 16, in step 200 (S200), if the scanner device 2 does not detect a power-on operation, it waits until the power-on operation is performed (S200: No), and when it detects a power-on operation, it proceeds to processing of S205 (S200: Yes). In step 205 (S205), the scanner device 2 executes a start-up process.

[0060] In step 207 (S207), the scanner device 2 determines the operating mode, and if the operating mode is the "connected user" mode, proceeds to processing of S215, and if the operating mode is the "selected user" mode or the "all users" mode, proceeds to processing of S210.

[0061] In step 210 (S210), the terminal search unit 300 of the scanner device 2 broadcasts a power-on notification to the network 7, and returns scanner device information including information for automatic connection to the user terminal 4 that responds to this. In step 215 (S215), the terminal search unit 300 broadcasts a power-on notification to the network 7, and returns scanner device information that does not include information for automatic connection to the user terminal 4 that responds to this.

[0062] As described above, in the first modification, in the "connected user" mode, automatic connection from the user terminal 4 is prohibited, and only manual connection to the scanner device 2 by the user's connection operation is permitted.

[0063] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the connection process (S45) in the "connected user" mode. As illustrated in FIG. 17, in step 450 (S450), the connection request unit 310 of the scanner device 2 waits until it receives a scanner search notification from the user terminal 4 (S450: No), and when it receives the scanner search notification from the user terminal 4, it proceeds to processing of S455 (S450: Yes).

[0064] In step 455 (S455), the connection request unit 310 transmits scanner device information (including dummy identification information that does not match any of the user terminals) to the user terminal 4 in response to the scanner search notification. That is, the connection request unit 310 transmits scanner device information that prohibits automatic connection of the user terminal 4.

[0065] In step 460 (S460), if the scanner program 3 receives an exclusive command from any of the user terminals 4, it proceeds to processing of S465, and if it does not receive an exclusive command from any of the user terminals 4 within the specified period, it terminates the connection processing (S45).

[0066] In step 465 (S465), when the occupancy control unit 350 receives an occupancy command from any of the user terminals 4, it transitions to an occupancy state by this user terminal 4. In step 470 (S470), the setting information acquisition unit 370 receives a profile from the user terminal 4 in an occupied state. In step 475 (S475), the storage destination control unit 380 causes the profile received by the setting information acquisition unit 370 to be stored only in the memory 202. In step 480 (S480), the display control unit 331 causes only the profiles stored in the memory 202 to be displayed on the touch panel 208.

[0067] In step 485 (S485), the occupancy control unit 352 maintains the occupancy state by the currently connected user terminal 4 until it detects a connection request from another terminal (S485: No), and when it detects a user switching operation, it proceeds to processing of S490 (S485: Yes). In step 490 (S490), the occupancy control unit 352 releases the occupancy state of the connected user terminal 4 in response to the user's switching operation, and the setting information erasure unit 390 erases the profile (profile of this user terminal 4) stored in memory 202.

[0068] In this way, when the scanner device 2 of variant example 1 connects in response to a connection request from the user terminal 4, it receives a profile from the user terminal 4 each time, stores the received profile only in volatile memory (memory 202), and erases the stored profile when the user terminal 4 is released from its occupied state.

[0069] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a display screen in the first modification. When the "selected user" mode is selected on the mode selection screen 93 in FIG. 18(A), the display control unit 331 causes the touch panel 208 to display a display screen 94, as shown in FIG. 18(B). The display screen 94 in the "selected user" mode displays the name of the connected user terminal. Only profiles defined on this user terminal 4 are displayed. When a user icon is selected on the display screen 94, a list of selection candidates is displayed in the order of past connections, and it is possible to switch between connected user terminals or select a different user terminal.

[0070] 18(A), when the "All Users" mode is selected, the display control unit 331 causes the touch panel 208 to display a display screen 95, exemplified in FIG. 18(C). The display screen 95 in the "All Users" mode displays the profiles of all user terminals registered in the scanner device 2. Since any profile can be selected, it is difficult to know which profile one wants to select, and there is a high possibility of sending by mistake. On the other hand, when the "Connected User" mode is selected on the mode selection screen 93 in Fig. 18(A), the display control unit 331 causes the touch panel 208 to display a display screen 96, as shown in Fig. 18(D). The display screen 96 in the "Connected User" mode displays only the profile defined on the user terminal connected to the scanner device 2, and does not display the user icon. Because only the profile defined by the user is displayed and there is no way to switch to another user from the touch panel 208, there is no risk of erroneous transmission. When the user terminal 4 is disconnected or the scanner device 2 is powered off, the connection information disappears from the scanner device 4, ensuring high security.

[0071] FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram (S52) of creating a profile when the "connected user" mode is set. As illustrated in FIG. 19, when a user starts the driver program 5 on the user terminal 4, sets a profile value for the scanner device α, associates it with the scanner device α, and saves it in the setting DB 570, the user terminal 4 sends the profile saved in the setting DB 570 to the scanner device α to synchronize the setting DB (S520). Scanner device α stores the received profile only in memory 202, displays it on touch panel 208, and notifies user terminal 4 that registration of the profile is complete (S522). When the connection between user terminal 4 and scanner device α is cut off, the profile in memory 202 is erased. Furthermore, when the user terminal 4 connects to another scanner device β, sets a profile for this scanner device β, and synchronizes the setting DB (S530), the scanner device β stores the received profile only in memory 202, displays it on the touch panel 208, and notifies the user terminal 4 that the profile registration is complete (S532).

[0072] FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram (S80) of switching user terminals when the "connected user" mode is set. As illustrated in FIG. 20, during the period when the user terminal 4 of user X occupies the scanner device 2, when the scanner device 2 detects a touch operation on the scan start button (S800), it executes a scan process and transmits the scan data to the user terminal 4 of user X. When the user X performs a power-off operation on the scanner device 2 (S802), the scanner device 2 cuts off the connection with the user terminal 4 and shuts down, and the profile saved in the memory 202 is erased. Next, when user A turns on the power to the scanner device 2 (S810), the scanner device 2 performs a startup process, and when the startup process is complete, it sends a power-on notification to all user terminals 4 on the network 7. In response to the power-on notification, each user terminal 4 sends a scanner search notification to the scanner device 2 and receives scanner device information from the scanner device 2. The scanner device 2 has inserted "dummy identification information" into the scanner device information that does not match any of the user terminals. Each user terminal 4 compares the identification information in the scanner device information received from the scanner device 2 with its own identification information, and since neither matches, does nothing (S812).

[0073] Next, when User A connects to the scanner device 2 and sends the profile (S820), the scanner device 2 becomes occupied by User A, saves User A's profile in memory 202, and enables scanning operations using User A's profile (S822). In this way, the scanner device 2 of the first modification provides three operation modes with different security levels, allowing the user to use the scanner device in a way that suits their usage environment and needs.

[0074] In the above embodiment and modified example, a specific example has been described in which the scanner device 2 is shared over a network, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to, for example, a display, a projector, and a speaker. Taking a display as an example, the present invention can be expected to be effective in the following situations. Consider a scenario where multiple users connect to a shared display, such as one installed in a conference room. When various users use the display one after another, they can easily connect and display on the display by switching between user devices from the display. Furthermore, if a user continues to use the display for a while, the user can simply start the display, and the display will immediately be exclusively connected to the user's user terminal and displayed on the display. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1. Scanner sharing system 2. Scanner device 3,32 Scanner Program 4. User terminal 5 Driver Program

Claims

1. A peripheral device that can be shared by multiple user terminals, a setting information acquisition unit that acquires setting information of a user regarding the peripheral device; a mode switching unit that switches between a first operation mode in which setting information of only the user currently connected to the peripheral device is displayed and a second operation mode other than the first operation mode; a storage destination control unit that stores the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit in a volatile memory when the mode switching unit has set the first operating mode, and stores the setting information in a non-volatile memory when the mode switching unit has set the second operating mode; a display unit that displays the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit when the first operation mode is set by the mode switching unit; A peripheral device having:

2. An occupancy control unit that sets an occupancy state of the peripheral device for a user; a setting information erasing unit that erases the setting information acquired by the setting information acquiring unit when the occupied state of the peripheral device is released by the occupancy control unit; The peripheral device of claim 1 further comprising:

3. the setting information acquisition unit acquires setting information of another user when the occupancy control unit switches the occupancy state to the other user; The setting information erasing unit erases the setting information of the user when the occupancy control unit switches the occupancy state to another user. The peripheral device of claim 2 .

4. When the first operation mode is set by the mode switching unit, the setting information acquisition unit acquires setting information and records it in the volatile memory every time the device is connected to the user terminal, and the display unit displays the setting information recorded in the volatile memory; When the second operation mode is set by the mode switching unit, the display unit displays the setting information recorded in the nonvolatile memory. The peripheral device of claim 1 .

5. A display control method for a peripheral device that can be shared by a plurality of user terminals, comprising: a setting information acquisition step of acquiring setting information of a user regarding the peripheral device; a mode switching step of switching between a first operation mode in which setting information of only the user currently connected to the peripheral device is displayed and a second operation mode other than the first operation mode; a storage destination control step of storing the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition step in a volatile memory when the first operation mode is set by the mode switching step, and storing the setting information in a non-volatile memory when the second operation mode is set by the mode switching step; a display step of displaying the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition step when the first operation mode is set by the mode switching step; A display control method for a peripheral device having the above-mentioned configuration.

6. A program applicable to a peripheral device that can be shared by a plurality of user terminals, a setting information acquisition step of acquiring setting information of a user regarding the peripheral device; a mode switching step of switching between a first operation mode in which setting information of only the user currently connected to the peripheral device is displayed and a second operation mode other than the first operation mode; a storage destination control step of storing the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition step in a volatile memory when the first operation mode is set by the mode switching step, and storing the setting information in a non-volatile memory when the second operation mode is set by the mode switching step; a display step of displaying the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition step when the first operation mode is set by the mode switching step; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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